This is why I *love* '78. They took the polished perfection of '77 and let it get a little more gritty, loose, and rock 'n roll.

Relatively short touring schedule that year (due to studio time, etc.) so enjoy the precious gems we have, like this date which must be one of the highlights!

I was lucky enough to hear this concert. Particularly liked Truckin... and because we got close to the stage/speakers, the encore U.S. Blues was memorable.

For those who are trying to cobble together music files for both sets (in addition to the 2nd set files available here), I used the following "temporaneously near" sources. Unfortunately, the audio quality varies (some lack bass) and sometimes the "crowd ambience" is minimal. So if you can do some post-production to artificially restore some ambience (and equalize the freq spectrum and levels), that might be good.

Some of the Dick's Pick's CD's are tough to find and go for too much $$$. In those cases, I just download an mp4 or equivalent from itunes for the needed tunes.

I'm, not being careful in asseing the relative merits of each recording or performance, so please use your judgement. (There's always Europe 72 for some of these cuts; but that's a bit less contemporaneous than the choices that I've listed)

Good lovin: (Dick's picks vol 18)
Brown eyed woman (Dick's picks 18)
El Paso (Dick's picks vol 29 may '77)
Tennessee Jed (Dick's picks vol 25)
Sunrise (Dick's Picks 3)
New Minglewood blues (Dick's Picks 18)
Friend of the Devil (Closing of Winterland or DP's vol 25)
Passenger (DP vol 18)
Deal (DP vol 18)
Scarlet Begonias (DP 18)
Fire on the Mountain (DP 18)
Samson and Delilah (DP 18)
Ship of Fools (DP vol 32)
all the rest: DP vol 18...
Truckin
Drums
The Other One
Wharf Rat
Around and around
U.S. Blues.

p.s. I saw a play list for the Unidome 78 concert that included Jack Straw. Does anyone know if that is correct, or just a flashback? Also, some listing do not include Ship of Fools. So if anyone knows the Definitive playlist, please let me know. Thanks.

It is Weir's whistle. I don't know if he let Billy err blow it but the Whistle belongs to one BOB WEIR.

Great G-D ALMIGHTY talk to me!!!
The description box doesn't match the music pre-drums? (but I love the actual tune selection)
Samson's a heavy weight coming in at 11 minutes
Bobby's joke is like a mini Frank Zappa moment.

you could start at AROUND and work backwards.
Any way you slice it, dice it, this is HOT!
Jerry just about screaming U.S. Blues!!!

This tour was short - 3 Chicago shows, Madison, Milwaukee and Cedar Falls (it's the college-town side of Waterloo). The last three have, since 2000, often been viewed as a run due to their release, in part, on Dick's Picks #18, even though the Chicago shows are about as good as all but the Madison show (it's essentially an early Road Trips release, but makes some frustrating choices). This show is yr average '78 show, two nights after the best show of the tour.

First Set. Of what's available: Bertha starts mediocre then blows up with Jer's snarling tone. The official list says they did Brown-Eyed Women but the list here says Jack Straw. They played Jack Straw the night before so it was probably BEW. There's also a Sunrise left off some lists. The rest is average '78 except for a fired-up Deal. The Passenger is on DP18 but it's not as good as two nights before.

Second Set. The mics had a problem on Samson & Delilah so they jam it. DP18 removes the band convo and Weir's Lumberjack joke and dubs in Weir's "cruel joke" comment. Jer dumps the bridge on Scarlet and goes into the solo. It's 30 minutes before the end of Fire on the Mountain. Long, but average '78. Truckin' has the whistle start. (the official release cuts out a tape problem). Drums is just random thumping but Phil saves it with the intro rumble to The Other One, which becomes the show highlight. Jer doesn't once stop fingering. It's a blizzard of fills. The rest is average stuff save the end of Wharf Rat where there's a little extra Jer/Keith weaving.

1st Set:  C
2nd Set: C-
Overall = 2 1/2 Stars

Highlight:
The Other One

SOURCES: All that's ever circulated is the 2nd set - not just the SBD but, strangely, that seems to be all that circulates on AUD as well? DP18 came along and added five songs from the 1st set but not all of it - very frustrating. Encore U.S. Blues is the only track available on SBD/AUD that's not on DP18, but you want the matrix for that one (dusborne).

it early '78 that really does it for me. the shows later in the year just aren't as compelling (like the ghastly overrated 12/31/78). pulp79 is absolutely right; DP 18 is SO worth the dough. The second set of this show is unparalleled in '78. Incendiary performances of Samson, Scarlet>Fire, Truckin' and The Other One that are easily the best post-77 versions in my book (of what i've heard at least). GET THIS ONE!!!!

This version rivals the 78.10.21 Winterland version. Something about 78. When Jerry wanted to rage he raged. Gotta love Billy's whistle introduction to Truckin'. That alone upped the anti.

If ANYBODY knows where to get set 1 sbd. Email me.
dylan.muhlberg@colorado.edu

This show, along with 2/3, are imo the best shows of the year, with 1/22 close behind. Like a way more rocking version of '77 Dead, their early '78 shows just had an intensity that, when they were on, will melt your freaking face right off your head. The Scarlet>Fire is just beyond words, a half-hour of mindlowing Jerry jams. The Samson is great as well. Bobby's mic doesn't work in the beginning, which just gives Jerry an excuse to just rock the jam session for another 3 or 4 minutes. Absolutely worth the $17 for Dick's Picks 18. I'd love to have the first set one day, instead of a composite first set of this show and 2/3, but I'll take what I can get. They had many other great shows in '78, but nothing that grabs me quite like these shows.

this set is really awesome, ide really like to add the U.S. blues encore and the "weir story" from this show to my dicks picks 18 to make the 2nd set more complete. if anyone can send me it please email me at cb18201@hotmail.com thanks